Ink ribbon feeding and ink ribbon positioning mechanism for printing machines



March 16, 1954 H. S. BEATTIE INK RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBONPOSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES Filed June l0, 1950 Ll-f.

5 Sheets-Sheerl l INVENTOR Hof/)cf 5. fA Tr/f March 16, 1954 H. s.BEATTIE 2,672,092

INK-RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBON PosIIIoNING MEcHANIsN FoR PRINTINGMACHINES Filed June 10, 1950 Sheets-Sheet 2 J I; 77;I w-` G-QS 1;- 7i JL "lllllln 7L 5 g "ml l March 16, 1954 H s, BEAT-HE 2,672,092

INK RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRINTINGMACHINES Filed June l0, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVENTOR HRHCE S BFA T/EBY 9- w' fas-#3% H. S. BEATTIE March 16, 1954 INK RIBBON FEEDING AND INKRIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING MACHINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 4Flecl June 10, 1950 March `16, 1954 H. s@ BEATTIE 2,672,092

INK RIBBON FEEDING AND INK RIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRINTINGMACHFNES Fi-led June l0, 1 950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Mar. 16, 1954UNITED. vSTATES i PATENT 2,672,092 oFFlcE INK RIBBON FEEBING AND INKRIBBON POSITIONING MECHANISM FOR PRNT- IN G MACHINES York ApplicationJune 10, 1950, Serial No. 167,378

(CI. IUI-336) 10 Claims.

This invention concerns ink ribbon mechanisms for use in printingdevices incorporated in various forms of machines embodying suchprinting devices as typewriters, accounting inachines, check printingmachines, etc. where it is customary to use an ink ribbon.

The object of the invention is to provide an ink ribbon feedingmechanism of such design and arrangement that it will increase theacceptable life of an ink ribbon by enabling inking through as much ofthe ribbon as practical, instead of the usual single horizontal linealong its length. By securing the inking through most of the ribbon theeffective life of a ribbon is increased because the available inkingarea can be very thoroughly, effectively and evenly utilized. Alsofailure due to mechanical damage is practically eliminated since thewear is more evenly distributed over the'entire ribbon.

In the present machine this object is attained by feeding the ink ribbonnot only lengthwise but transversely up and down so that inking iseffected through at least two different areas but preferably throughfour different areas lengthwise of the ribbon to more evenly distributethe wear over the entire ribbon. One means of accomplishing the objectof the invention is shown in the preferred embodiment herein byutilizing two of these longitudinal areas in one direction of the feedof the ribbon and then utilizing the other two inking areas in the otherdirection of the feed of the ribbon, and Shifting the ribbon up or downfor selection of the two areas during or after the feeding of the inkingribbon.

A still further object is to incorporate an automatic ribbon reversemechanism to provide not only the change in direction of the feeding ofthe ink ribbon but to also position the ribbon so that two other areasare selected and used successively as the ribbon is moved up and downduring the reverse direction of feed of the ribbon.

Another object is to provide an improved ink ribbon reversing controldevice which is preferably electrical in construction and withassociated devices for selecting a diierent longitudinal area for inkingwhen the direction of feed is reversed.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the followingdescription and claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention andthe best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan view showing the operative association of the improvedink ribbon and ink ribbon feeding mechanism with a printing device ofany suitable printing or typing machine,

Fig. 2 is a detail View showing how the contact operating mechanism iscontrolled by the un- Winding of the ink ribbon on a spool to closecontacts which reverse the direction of feed of the ribbon.

Fig. 3 is a detail View of a pawl and ratchet ink ribbon spool drivingdevice which is associated with the left-hand ribbon spool for Windingup the ink ribbon on this spool.

Fig. 4 is'a View in side elevation showing the f left-hand ribbon spoolin an elevated position, which position is taken when the ink ribbon isbeing unwound from this spool.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1and shows, apart from the constructional details of the left-hand inkribbon spool and driving device the position that the left-hand ribbonspool takes when the inking ribbon is being wound on this spool.

Fig. 6 is a View showing the construction of the right-hand ink ribbonspool and the position that this ribbon spool takes when the ink ribbonis being unwound from this spool and onto the left-hand spool.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line l-l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a detail View of the pawl and ratchet ribbon spool drivingdevice associated with the right-hand ribbon spool for winding the inkribbon on this spool.

Figs. 9 to 13 inclusive are diagrammatic views which show Vthe differentpositions that the ink vribbon assumes in various operations of themachine.

Of these views:

Fig. 9 shows the diagonal position that the ink ribbon assumes in a restposition of the machine.

Fig. l0 shows the position the parts assume during an operation of themachine in which the ink ribbon is being unwound from the left-handspool and onto the right-hand spool and printing is eiiected through theD inking area.

Fig. 11 shows the position of the parts in the following machineoperation, the ink ribbon being fed in the same direction but inking nowbeing effected in this machine Voperation through the C area of theinking ribbon.

Fig. 12 shows the position of the parts when the ribbon reversemechanism has been rendered eiective for changing the position of theink ribbon and winding the inking ribbon on the left-hand spool andunwinding it from the righthand spool, printing now being effected inthis cycle ofinachine operation through the A inking area. Y

Fig. 13 shows the position of the parts taken in the following machineoperation for eiecting inking through the B area, the ribbon still beingfed in the same direction as in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view on `an enlarged scale and taken on the lineI4--l 4 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 15 is 'an electrical wiring diagram of the electricalinstrumentalities.

The power for driving both the left-hand and right-hand ink ribbonspools is derived from the main drive shaft IU (Fig. 5) and said shaftcarries a gear H meshing with a gear l2 secured to a short shaft i3which carries la worm i4. Said shaft I is driven one revolution for eachmachine cycle, i. e. for each printing operation.

Shaft l0 preferably corresponds to shaft 35 of the patent to R. E. Pageet al., No. 2,438,071 wherein it will be seen that this shaft is drivenwith a uniform speed at times and a slower speed during printing timewhich is about one-fourth of its uniform speed. Thus, while in thepresent machine the ink ribbon is being fed about one inch for eachmachine cycle and shifted transversely at the same time the reducedspeed of the drive shaft l0 during printing time causes very little inkribbon feed longitudinally, which is about .03 inch in the preferredembodiment. In fact, the extent of feed is so small that the ribbon canbe regarded as practically stationary during printing operations.

The worm i4 meshes with a worm wheel l5 secured to the lower end of avertical drive shaft IS which is the drive shaft for the left-handspool. The vertical drive shaft i3 rotates in ball bearings H and i8,both of which are carried by a casting i3 to thus support the driveshaft i5 vertically and also to provide a support and mounting for otherparts comprising the lefthand ink spool and the drive therefor.

Mounted at the upper part of the vertical drive shaft I5 above the upperface of casting I9 is a sleeve 25 provided with three similarlongitudinally formed key-way slots 26 (Figs. 5 and lll).

At the upper end of the vertical drive shaft i6 there `are providedthree key-way slots 2l which, in conjunction with the three alignedslots 2&3 in the sleeve 25 receive balls 2s which, in effect, comprisekeys between the sleeve 25 and the vertical drive shaft !5. Just belowthis connection a similar key connection is arranged so that the driveshaft IS and sleeve 25 are securely keyed together. Thus, the sleeve 25will rotate with the drive shaft but an independent movement of thesleeve 25 upwardly and downwardly may be effected through the provisionof the short key-way slots 2i'. A spring 30 fitting in an annular recessin the lower part of sleeve `25 and encircling the drive shaft I5 bearsagainst the sleeve 25 and a washer 2l, the compression of the springnormally urging the sleeve 25 upwardly to the rposition shown in Fig. 4.Upward movement of washer 2l is restrained by a shoulder 22 of shaft l 6and spring 30 causes washer 2l to bear against the inner race of ballbearing I8, so that sleeve 25 thus rotates on ball bearingr I 8. Thekeys just described also hold sleeve 25 in its most upward position whenreleased and moved to this position by spring 30.

The ribbon spool carrier 32 has attached thereto a hub 33 which looselyencircles the upper portion of the sleeve 25 and the bottom face oriiange of the spool carrier 32 has attached thereto a ring 34 bearingagainst the iiange of the sleeve 25 and which consists of a suitablematerial which provides a frictional connection between the spoolcarrier 32 Yand the flange of sleeve 25. Mounted within longitudinalkcircular recesses of the spool carrier 32 are spring-urged balls 35which bearagainsta plate '3S held t0 the upper extremity of the sleeve25 by a split spring washer 31 fitting in an annular groove formed inthe sleeve 25. Thus, the spring-pressed balls bearing against the fixedplate 35 urges the spool carrier downwardly so as to frictionallycontact the flange of sleeve 25. This frictional connection between thesleeve 25 and the spool carrier 32 assists a pawl driven mechanism nowto be described to cause the spool carrier support to rotate therewithas the ribbon is being wound onto the ribon spool 38. When the ribbon isbeing unwound from the ribbon spool 33, the ribbon spool support 32rotates in a direction opposite to the sleeve 25 and the frictionalconnection provides the proper tautness for the ribbon at the printingline.

The ribbon spool v38 fits over the upper portion of the spool carriersupport 32, and, to cause the ribbon spool 38 to rotate therewith, theri-bbon spool 38 has an inwardly extending tab 40 (Fig. 14) which fitsin a longitudinal slot 4l of the spool carrier 32. Thus, the ribbonspool 38 positively rotates with the spool carrier support 32 when theribbon is being wound onto the spool or unwound from this spool to bewound on the other ribbon spool, in a manner which will be subsequentlyexplained.

The gearing between the main drive shaft l0 (Fig. 5) and the verticaldrive shaft i6 is designed to effect a 60 rotation of the latter or 1/6of a revolution, and through a pawl and ratchet mechanism now to bedescribed rotate the left-hand ribbon spool 60 when the ink ribbon is tobe wound thereon for every machine cycle, whichcorresponds to eachrevolution 0f the main drive shaft l0. Pinned to the extremity of thedrive shaft l5 is a ratchet disk 45 having, as best shown in Fig. 3,Vupwardly formed ratchet shaped teeth. Attached to the ribbon carrier 32by a pair of screws 46 is a bracket 41. Pivotally mounted on a stud 43carried by said bracket is an operating pawl 43 which is urged by aspring 50 to engage a tooth of the'ratchet disk 45 when pawl 49 is incertain positions. When the ribbon spoo1 occupies the lowest positionshown in Fig. 5 and the one step higher position, effected by means tobe subsequently described, the operating end of the pawl 43 will, bymeans of spring 50, engage in both positions, (full line and dotted inFig. 3) the ratchet disk 45. The engaging end of the pawl 4S and theratchet teeth of the disk 45 are so designed Vand Vproportioned that theoperating end of the pawl 49 will be in direct engagement with thestraight edge of one of the teeth so that the 60 movement of the driveshaft I6 will, through the ratchet disk 45 and pawl 49, rotate the spoolcarrier support 32 and thus the ribbon spool 3B.

However, in the extreme upward movement of the ribbon -spool and thepawl 49, the latter will be rocked by its spring 50 to engage a stopstud 5I carried by the bracket, and in this extreme highest position ofthe ribbon spool and pawl 49 and also one step below, as in Fig. 4,which is effected by means to Vbe presently described, pawl 49 will beheld lout of engagement with the ratchet disk 45. This upward positionof the ribbon spool and its next lower position are the positions thatthe ribbon spool occupies whenever the ribbon is unwound from theleft-hand SpOOl and Wound O11 'the right-hand spool which latter isshown in Figs. 1, 6 and 7.

It will be understood, therefore, that the ribbon and ribbon spool 38have four different positions; A, B, C'and D (Fig. 10). The two lowerpositions C and D are selected when the ribbon is being fed from left toright, at which time a magnet 6I) is deenergized (see Figs. 10 and 11)and each of these two lower C and D positions is selected by the rotatedposition of a cam 6I which is an integral part and forms a lower flangeof the sleeve 25. However, when the solenoid 60 is energized to feed theribbon from right to left and to select by the position of cam 6| eitherof the two uppermost positions A and B of the ribbon, the operating pawl49 engages the ratchet disk IIS.V Therefore it will be understood thatsolenoid 60 is energized whenever the feeding of the ribbon is to takeplace from the right-hand spool to the left-hand spool, as shown byarrows diagrammatically in Figs. 12 and 13, and is deenergized wheneverthe ribbon is to feed from left to right, as in Figs. and 11.

Secured to the casting I9 (Fig. 5) is a bracket 62 on which is pivotedat 63 a follower arm 64 which fits in a side recess 65 formed in theextremiw of the core 66 of the solenoid B8. A compression spring 61bears against a ring 68 0n the core to force it against a pin 'IDcarried by the core 66 and a plate 69 attached to the casting I9. Spring61 normally urges the core 66 to its upward position when solenoid 50 isdeenergized. However, the coil spring 38 is a superior spring and urgesthe sleeve 25 upwardly so that cam 6I will continuously make contactwith the roller at 6. the high part GIH cooperates with the follower armso that printing can be effected through the A area of the inkingribbon. During the next machine cycle, cam BI having been rotated 1/6 ofa revolution (see Fig. 13) and the ribbon fed, the ribbon spool will bein such position that inking will be provided in this machine cycle bythe B area as shown in Fig. 13 but a fresh portion of the ink ribbonwill be presented to the printing devices.

Associated with the left-hand ribbon spool and its drive are electricalcontacts controlled by the ribbon on spool 38. These contacts are closedf to reverse the direction of feed of the inking ribthe extremity of thefollower arm 64. For each 120 the cam 6 I is provided with a high part 6IH and a following low part GIL, each of which is a segment on thediameter of the cam. Hence, for one l/eth of a revolution of the sleeve25 the roller of the follower arm 64 will drop from the high part 6 IH,as shown in Fig. 4, to the low part 6 IL. During the next cycle, if thearm 64 be held down due to the continued energization of the solenoid6I), the roller will then be raised from the low part SIL to a high partEIH of the cam. Thus, the ribbon spools will be taking a differentvertical position during the feeding of the ink ribbon for each 1/6revolution of the sleeve 25, and at the time of printing a new area willbe in position for inking.

lFrom Fig. 10 it will be seen diagrammatically that the ribbon fromwhich inking is to be effected comprises four longitudinal areas, thelines adjacent letters A, B, C, and D designating the center lines ofthe four areas A, B, C, and D from the top to the bottom.

When the solenoid 68 is deenergized the ribbon spool 38 will be held byspring 38 in its lowermost position with respect to the printing line sothat areas C and D will be the yinking areas at the printing line, andselected in alternation depending upon the position of the cam 6I, asVshown in Figs. 10 and 11. Hence, during one machine cycle when the lowpart BIL cam (il is effective, inking will be derived from the D area ofthe ribbon, as shown in Fig. 10. In the next machine cycle cam 6I havingrotated 1/6 of a revolution to render the high part 6I H effective,inking will be provided by the C area (as shown in Fig. 11) but sincethe ribbon has been fed from the left-hand spool to the right-hand spool(solenoid Ell being deenergized), a new portion of the ribbon will bealways used for inking.

When the ribbon is to be fed from the righthand spool to the left-handspool, solenoid 60 is energized, at which time the follower arm 64 takesthe position shown in Figs. 5, 12 and 13 and moves the spool 38downwardly against the action of spring 30. As shown in Figs. 5 and 12left-hand spool.

bon so that it will next be drawn or unwound from the left-hand spooland fed or wound onto the right-hand spool, as well as to operatecertain other interlock contacts, the purpose of which will be laterexplained in connection with the wiring diagram.

Secured to the bottom of the ribbon spool carrier 32 is a detent plateI5 which, as shown in Fig. l, is scalloped to provide extended circularportions 'I3 which are in the path-of a detent.

' pawl 'I'I (see Figs. 1 and 4). Secured to the cast-l ing I3 is abracket 'I8 whichis slotted so that by means of a pivot 'I3 passingthrough the slot the detent pawl 'I'I may be pivoted. A spring 80normally urges the extremity of the detent pawl 'I1 in the detentposition shown in Fig. 4 and also in a detent position in the nextlowermost position of the ribbon spool which, it will be recalled, arethe two positions that the ribbon spool occupies when the ribbon is tobe unwound from the When the solenoid 66] is energized to lower theribbon spool and to cause the drive of the left-hand spool to wind theribbon thereon the pawl 'I'I will be held up in the position of Fig. 4,being stopped by a bracket portion II allowing the detent plate 'I5 tobe moved out of engagement with detent pawl 'I'I and allowing a freerotation of the left-hand ribbon spool when the ribbon is being Wound onthe spool.

The right-hand ribbon spool shown in Figs. 6,

'I and 8 and the drive therefor are substantially the same as theleft-hand drive and the description ne ed not, therefore, be repeated.However, the major differences in construction and operation will bepointed out so that it will be more clearly understood how the ribbon isunwound from the left-hand spool and wound on the righthand spool when arelated solenoid (Fig. 1) is energized.

It will be seen that the shaft I0 extends to the right and carries atits extremity a worm 86 (Fig. 6) meshing with a worm wheel 8'I, whichlatter is carried by the vertical drive shaft 88 for the right-handribbon spool llll). It will be seen, therefore, that the drive shaft Il!will also rotate the vertical drive shaft 8S but in an oppositedirection. The vertical drive shaft 88 is rotated clockwise, as viewedin Fig. 1, 1/6 of a revolution for each machine cycle, Whereas thevertical drive shaft I6 rotates counterclockwise 1/6 of a revolution inthe same machine cycle.

It should be noted further that while the two lowermost positions of theleft-hand ribbon spool 38 are the positions necessary for feeding theribbon to spool 38, the right-hand spool S is in a position for feedingthe ribbon to spool 93 when it is at its two highest positions. Thisreversal in positioning enables the diagonal position of the ribbon asshown in Fig. 9. W hen the machine is idle, that is to say, the driveshaft I0 is not turning, neither of the two solenoids 60 or 85 is en-Iergized, placing the inking ribbon in the diagonal position shown inFig. 9. This facilitates insertion of forms in the platen carriagewithout interfering with the inking ribbon.

The core 9i of the solenoid 85 is provided with a slot 92 (Figs. 6 and7) in which fits the vertical arm of a follower bell crank 93, thehorizontal arm thereof having a roller cooperating with a cam 94. Thiscam is exactly, with respect to its cam formations, as the cam Si but isso timed that when the cam Si has its low portion effective a highportion of cam 94 will also be effective (see Fig. 9, for example).Thus, there will be a simultaneous up or down movement, or shift of theribbon at each end in successive machine cycles. The cam 94 extendsdownwardly just the reverse as the cam Si, and, to cause it to have acontinuous cooperation with the bell crank follower arni d3, the spring95 (Fig. 6) is placed between the ratchet disk 96 ond a washer plate 91.

Fig. 8 shows the relationship of the feeding pawl 98 and the ratchetdisk 96. The feeding operation is substantially as has been describedfor the left-hand spool, the only difference being in the shape of thefeeding pawl and the fact that the ratchet plate 9S has its teethextending downwardly so that only in the upper two positions of theribbon spool will the ribbon be wound upon the right-hand spool. Inthese two upper positions the printing will be effected through the Cand D longitudinal areas of the inning ribbon (see Figs. 10 and l1).

The right-hand ribbon spool ed also has a detent plate 95A (Fig. i) withwhich a detent pawl 99 cooperates, similar in function and operation todetent plate 75 and detent pawl l?. It will be obvious that in an idleposition of the machine, when neither solenoid or 85 is energized andneither ribbon spool will be in a position for feeding, both detentpawls 955 and 'il will, through engagement with their ratchet shapeddetent disks 98A and 75 hold both ribbon spools against a feedingmovement. If it were not for the provision of this detent mechanism forboth spools it is obvious that the rotation of both vertical driveshafts l@ and E@ would, through the frictional drive between the sleeveand spool 38 for example, cause feeding ofthe ribbon from one spool tothe other if the frictional driving forces were unequal for both spools.As a practical matter it is not possible to get the same frictionaldriving force for both spools and as a result there would be a tendencyto feed the ribbon from one spool to the other during idle machineoperations when the main shaft it is being rotated. This is anundesirable condition and the detent mechanism effectively prevents itfrom occurring.

Referring now to Fig. 1 it will be seen that the ribbon per se it@extends from one spool to the other between a conventional platen itland a set of printing bars The ink ribbon mechanism is preferablydesigned for use with the printing mechanism of the printing wheel typeshown in the patent to R. E. Page and H. S. Beattie, No. 2,438,071,issu-ed Ifarch 19, 1948. Such printing members iii-2 may also bereciprocable type bars or typewriter bars carrying type elements whichare impressed in a percussive manner against the ribbon its and againsta paper strip surrounding the platen lili. It will be recalled thatwhile the ink ribbon is fed during the entire rotation of shaft lo, theribbon is fed only a negligible ammznt during the time that the printingwheels of the aforesaid patent are 8 impressed against the platen IDI.This is due to the decreased speed of shaft I0 at this time.

The normal diagonal position of the ribbon lili! was previously referredto and is shown in the diagrammatic view of Fig. 9, which diagonalposition facilitates, with the machine at rest, the positioning of paperstrips between the platen lill and the printing mechanism. This positionis attained because if neither solenoid 60 nor 85 is energized theleft-hand ribbon spool 38 will be in its extreme upward position, due tothe up'- ward force of the spring 30 and the printing type will bealigned with the D area of the ribbon I at this end. Since the solenoidB5 is also deenergized the downward force of the spring 95 will forcethe ribbon spool e@ downwardly and, assuming that the high and lowportions of cams t and Sil are effective, spool 9B will be down in sucha position that inling will be derived at the right end from the area.Therefore, the next position (Fig. iii) that the ribbon assumes and itsdirection of feeding is due to the fact that it is assumed that in thelast operation of the machine the ribbon was previously feeding from theleft to 'the right and the solenoid 85 will again be energized byelectrical circuits to be subseduently described. However, if solenoidBQ was energized in the last operation it will again be energized toposition ribbon lii so that inking can be effected through the A area.Energiz'ation of solenoid 35 will then cause the ribbon spool te to beelevated as in Rg. l() and the ribbon is now extended in a straight lineso that inking can be obtained from the D area of the nking ribbon. Whenprinting is effected through this area it is unwound from the spool 38and wound onto the spool 5t and during the same operation cams @i and @dare rotated l/c 0f a revolution to present high and low portionsrespectively in effective position. This will cause the ribbon spools totake a position shown in Fig. 1l so that the inking can now be derivedfrom the C area.

Assuming now that the ribbon has been completely unwound from the spool38 and that the electrical ribbon reversing mechanism to be subsequentlydescribed in detail has been rendered effective, the solenoid S5 will bedeenergized, allowing the ribbon spool di to drop to provide inking fromthe uppermost or A area of the ribbon. rihe solenoid now being energizedwill cause the left-hand spool to be moved to the lowerinost position toeffect inking from the A area. After inking from this area the ribbon isnow unwound from the right-hand spool 9U and wound around the left-handspool 38 because the solenoid et places left-hand spool 33 in positionfor being rotated. Printing is now effected through the area of theribbon Iii@ and the ribbon is fed an extent o the right spool onto leftspool 38 and cams 5| and 9d now rotate 1/S of a revolution, causing thelow and high points of the respective cams to be simultaneouslyeffective which thus elevates the ribbon spools at both ends so as topresent the B inlring area to the printing line. Thus, for successiveprintings there will be alternate inling from the A and B printing areasin succession until the ribbon Ill@ is fed completely unwound from thespool and onto the spool and after which time the direction of ribbonfeed is automatically reversed and the C and D areas of the inkingribbon are used for inking the type of the printing mechanism.

The electrically controlled ribbon reversing mechanism includeselectrical contacts which are closed upon the complete unwinding of theinking ribbon from the associated inking spool; that is, when the lastof the convolutions of the inking ribbon are being unwound from a spoolthese contacts may close by their inherent resiliency which initiatesthe reversal of the direction of the feeding of the inking ribbon.

Fig. 2 shows the contact operating mechanism associated with theright-hand spool. The spool carrier |05 of this spool is cut away tocarry a bracket |t` (Figs. 2 and '7) upon which by a pivot pin |01 acontact operating arm |08 is mounted. A plate |00 of insulating materialalso carried by said spool carrier carries a rigid contact carryingblade H0 and also a flexible contact blade |I|, said blades carryingelectrical contacts H2. The contact operating arm |08 has a button H3 ofinsulating material against which the resilient blade presses so as toforce the lower portion of said contact operating arm |08 through a slotin the righthand ink supply spool 90. The innermost convolutions of theink ribbon |00 are adapted to rock the arm |08 counterclockwise in Fig.2 so that the button I I3 bearing against the resilient blade IH openscontacts H2. Obviously, when the last convolution of the inking ribbonis unwound from this spool there will be no restraint on the arm |08 andcontacts I I2 will close. will causethe closure of circuits to bedescribed later to initiate the reversal of the direction of the inkingribbon by deenergizing one solenoid and energizing the other.

Somewhat the same arrangement is provided for the left-hand ribbon spoolwherein contacts H 4 (Fig. 1) are similar to contacts H2. When the inkribbon is fully unwound from the lefthand spool contacts H4 will closein the same manner.

A convenient means of securing electrical connections to the contacts H3and H4 is provided consisting, as will be described, for only the leftnhand ribbon spool, of diametrically different collector rings H6 (Fig.5) which are insulatably carried by the ink ribbon spool carrier 32.Spring pressed contact plungers H7 and H8 continuously bear against theassociated collector rings I I 5 and from said plungers electricalconnections are made to the associated circuits. By suitable wireselectrical connections are made between the collector rings I IE and theassociated contacts H4 for the left-hand spool. A similar arrangement isalso provided for the right-hand spool 90 as shown in Fig. 6. Alsoassociated with each of the solenoids 60 and 35 are interlock contactswhich are adapted to be normally closed when each solenoid isdeenergized. The purpose of such contacts will be explained inconnection with the wiring diagram. Associated with the solenoid $0 arecontacts |20 (Fig. 5). When the solenoid 6|) is deenergized the pin I0abuts against an insulating block carried by the intermediate contactblade to close contacts |20. When solenoid 50 is energized contacts |20open in an This that in the previous operation of the machine thecircuits were conditioned for feeding the ink ribbon from the left-handspool to the righthand spool, E3B contacts will be in their normalclosed position. In the rest position of the machine the ribbon |00 isin the diagonal position of Fig. 9 and both solenoids 60 and 85 aredeenergized. Upon starting up the machine, drive shaft I0 commences torotate and such shaft rotates cams which close contacts CRI45 andCRIlit. The times such contacts close and open are shown in Fig. 15aside of each of these contacts and in degrees of rotation of shaft I0.At the end of the first machine cycle at340 cam contacts CR|45 close tocomplete a circuit from the line side |25, cam contacts CRMS, RBB relaycontacts, pickup coil P of a duo wound relay Rl, to line side |25. Thelatter closes its hold contacts RIA, and a hold circuit for RI hold coilH is maintained through RIA contacts and CRIAG cam contacts to 342 ofthe next cycle, it being obvious that CRIQS cam contacts close at 357 ofthe last part of the rst cycle before CR|45 opens its contacts, and thatCR|45 closes its contacts at 340 before CRMB opens its contacts at 342.This overlap in timing keeps the Rl relay energized in successivecycles, as long as RSB contacts are closed. RI relay now having beenenergized at the end of the rst machine cycle it will transfer its RIBcontacts completing a circuit from the line side |25 through RIBtransferred contacts, interlocks contacts |20 now closed, solenoid 85 toline side |26. The parts are now in the position shown in Fig. 10; the Darea will be used for inking; and the ribbon will be fed in the arrowdirection of Fig. 10. The Fig. 11 position has previously been explainedin detail, solenoid 85 being maintained energized because RI relay iskept energized by the circuits just described.

When solenoid 85 is energized it opens the interlock contacts |2| toprevent any possibility of energizing the solenoid in the event thatsome mechanical condition prevented the normal release of the core 9| ofsolenoid 85, thus preventing the possibility of both feeding mechanismsfrom being effective simultaneously, thereby destroying the ribbon.Contacts |2| are in the energizing circuit of solenoid lill and nowbeing open there is no possibility of improperly energizing solenoid 60.

The ribbon will keep on being wound on the right-hand ribbon spool, andbeing shifted up and down until the ribbon is completely unwound fromthe left-hand spool, thus causing the closure of contacts H4 in themanner previously explained. By an obvious circuit R3 relay magnet isenergized when contacts H4 close to open contacts RBB to deenergize theRl relay and close contacts RBA. The center blade of such contactslatches below a spring-pressed latch arm |21 to hold R3B contactslatched closed. Thereafter when cam contacts CR|45 close the pickup coilof the R2 duo-wound relay is energized, and held energized through theR2A relay contacts and cam contacts CR|I|8 back to line side |25. R2relay closes its RZB contacts, and while RiB contacts previouslytransferred back to normal position to deenergize the solenoid a circuitto energize the solenoid 60 cannot be completed until the interlockcontacts 2| are back to closed position, effected only when solenoid 85is completely deenergized and its core 9| is at normal position. Theenergizing circuit for solenoid 60 is from line sideI25,

RIB contacts now normal, REB contacts now closed, contacts i2l, solenoid6s, to line side |26. The parts are now in the position shown in Fig. 12and the ribbon will be unwound from the right-hand spool and wound onthe left-hand spool. When the right-hand spool is empty contacts H2 willclose to energize by an obvious circuit the unlatch magnet |28 whichrocks latch arm l2? to allow contacts RSA to open and contacts REB toclose. Solenoid Se will now be energized and the ribbon will be Woundback again on the right-hand spool.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out thefundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and detailsof the device illustrated and in their operation may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by thescope of the following claims:

What is claimed is:

1. In an ink ribbon feed mechanism, two ink ribbon spools, drivingmeans, a pawl and ratchet drive for each ribbon spool, cam means drivenby the driving means and rotatable with the ribbon spools irrespectiveof their position for simultaneously positioning said ribbon spools toalterhately shift said ink ribbon widthwise, separate solenoids forconnecting, when energized., a related pawl and ratchet drive with saiddriving means when the ink ribbon is fed from the associated spool tothe other, means controlled by both of said solenoids when one isenergized and the other is deenergized for positioning, in accordancewith the pawl and ratchet drive connected by the energized solenoid,both of said ink ribbon spools to render two lengthwise fields of saidink ribbon effective in one direction of ribbon feed, and two otherlengthwise fields effective in the other direction of ribbon feed, andmeans controlled by said ribbon for energizing said solenoids insuccession and deenergizing the previously energized solenoid.

2. In an ink ribbon feeding mechanism, the combination of two ink ribbonspools disposed at the ends of a printing device between which is an inkribbon having four lengthwise inking fields, a pair of cani means forpositioning and shifting both of said spools for shifting said inkribbon for utilization of two of said four inking elds in succession assaid ink ribbon is fed in one direction and for alternativelypositioning and shifting both of said spools for shifting said inkribbon for utilization of two other inking fields. in succession as saidink ribbon is fed in another direction, means for rotating one of saidspools for feeding said ribbon in said one direction thereon. othermeans for rotating the causing said ribbon spool positioning andshifting cam means to position and shift said spools for utilization ofeither two lengthwise elds in succession in accordance with thedirection of ink ribbon feed.

3. In an ink ribbon feed mechanism, two ink ribbon spools, two driveshafts, two pawl and ratchet drives, each when rendered operable forcausing a drive shaft to rotate the related ribbon spool, a pair of cammeans each driven by the associated drive shaft and having one positionfor simultaneously shifting both of said ribbon spools to alternatelyshift said ink ribbon widthwise to ink from two lengthwise fields of theink ribbon in one direction of ink ribbon feed, and having otherpositions for shifting both of said ribbon spools to alternately shiftsaid ink ribbon lengthwise to ink from two other lengthwise fields ofthe ink ribbon in another direction of ink ribbon feed, and separatecontrol means each operable in accordance with the direction of inkribbon feed for rendering one or the other pawl and ratchet drivesoperable and for causing in accordance with the pawl and ratchet driverendered operable the position of said cam means which effects thepositioning of said inlr ribbon spools to render two lengthwise elds ofsaid ink ribbon effective in one direction of ink ribbon feed and thetwo other lengthwise fields of the inl; ribbon effective in the otherdirection of ink ribbon feed.

e. in an ink ribbon feed mechanism, two ink ribbon spools, two driveshafts, a pawl and ratchet drives for each of said ribbon spools, eachwhen rendered operable for causing a related drive shaft to rotate therelated ribbon spool, a pair of cam means each driven by the associateddrive shaft which have one position for simultaneously shifting both ofsaid ribbon spools to alternately shift ink ribbon widthwise to inl;from two lengthwise fields of the ink ribbon in one direction of inkribbon feed, and which have other positions for simultaneousiy shiftingboth of said ribbon spools to alternately shift said ink ribbonlengthwise to ink from two other engthwise elds of the ink ribbon inanother direction of ink ribbon feed, and automatic means operable inaccordance with the desired direction of ink ribbon feed for causing arelated pawl and ratchet drive to be rendered operable to rotate anassociated ink ribbon spool by the related drive shaft and forpositioning in accordance with the pawl and ratchet drive renderedoperable both of said cam means to eect the positioning of said inkribbon spools to render two lengthwise fields of said ink ribboneffective in one direction of ink ribbon feed and the two lengthwisefields of the ink ribbon effective in the other direction of ink ribbonfeed.

5. in an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of ink ribbon spoolscarrying a reversible inl: ribbon for printing elements which spools arenormally positioned to position said ink ribbon diagonally with respectto said printing elements, separate control means each when operable forpo 'tioning the associated ink ribbon spool, ink i. .eben reversingmechanism, and means contro-led by said ink ribbon reversing mechanismfor causing in accccrdance with the desired diof ink ribbon feed one orthe other of said control means to be rendered operable for positioningthe related spool to shift one end of the ini: ribbon to align said inkribbon with said printing elements,

6. fn an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of ink ribbon spoolscarrying an ink ribbon printing elements normally positioned for pooning said ribbon diagonally with respect to printing elements, aplurality of drive means each when rendered operable for rotating theassociated ribbon spool, separate control means for positioning therelated spool and rendering the associated drive means operable, inkribbon reversing mechanism, and means controlled by said ink ribbonreversing mechanism for causing in accordance with the desired directionof ink ribbon feed one or the other of said drive means to be operableand for positioning the related spool to shift one end of the inl;ribbon to align said ink ribbon with said printing elements.

7. In an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of an ink ribbon having aplurality of longitudinal inking areas A, B, C' and D, automatic inkribbon reversing means to feed the ribbon in one direction and then theother, a pair of ink ribbon carrying spools for holding said ribbon ineither of two different positions to select two different areas to beutilized for inking in each direction of ink ribbon feed, meanscontrolled by said ink ribbon reversing means for shifting the pair ofink ribbon spools in one position to utilize two longitudinal areas Aand B for inking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon is fed insaid one direction, and for shifting said pair of ink ribbon spools inanother position to utilize two other longitudinal areas C and D forinking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon is fed in said otherdirection, and cam means for reciprocating said pair of ink ribbonspools in either of their two positions to reciprocate the ink ribbonwidthwise to utilize in accordance with the direction of ink feedselected two areas for inking therefrom in repeated alternation.

8. In an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of an ink ribbon having aplurality of longitudinal inking areas A, B, C and D, means for feedingthe ink ribbon in one direction, other means for feeding the ink ribbonin another direction, automatic ribbon reversing mechanism, meanscontrolled by the ribbon reversing mechanism to cause said feeding meansto feed the ribbon in one direction and then the other direction as theend of the ribbon is reached, means for holding said ribbon adapted tohave either of two positions to provide a length of ribbon from whichtwo different selected areas are utilized for inking in repeatedalternation in each direction of ink ribbon feed, means forreciprocating said ribbon widthwise to utilize two longitudinal areas Aand B for inking in repeated alternation when said holding means is inone position, and for reciprocating said ribbon widthwise to utilize twoother longitudinal areas C and D for inking in repeated alternation whensaid holding means is in the other position, and means controlled bysaid ribbon reversing mechanism for shifting the holding means to oneposition when the ink ribbon is fed in said one direction to positionthe ribbon to enable said reciprocating means to shift the ribbon toutilize the A and B` areas for inking in repeated alternation, and forshifting the holding means to another position when the ink ribbon isfed in the other direction to position the ribbon to enable thereciprocating means to shift the ribbon to utilize the C and D areas forinking in repeated alternation.

9. In an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of an ink ribbon having aplurality of longitudinal inking areas A, B, C and D, --means comprisingink ribbon carrying spools for'holding said ribbon and adapted to haveeither ofv inking in each direction of ink ribbon feed, means forrotating one spool for feeding the ink ribbon in one direction, othermeans for rotating the other spool for feeding the ink ribbon in anotherdirection, automatic ribbon reversing mechanism, means controlled by theribbon reversing mechanism to cause the rotation of said ink ribbonspools to feed the ribbon in one direction and then the other, rotatablecam means for reciprocating said ribbon spools widthwise to utilize twolongitudinal areas A and B for inking in repeated alternation when saidink ribbon spools are in one position, and for reciprocating said ribbonspools widthwise to utilize two other longitudinal areas C and D forinking in repeated alternation when said ink ribbon spools are in theother position, means controlled by said ribbon reversing mechanism forpositioning the ink ribbon spools in one position when the ink ribbon isfed in said one direction to enable said cam reciprocating means toshift the ribbon to utilize the A and B areas for inking in repeatedalternation, and for positioning the ink ribbon spools in anotherposition when the ink ribbon is fed in the other direction to enable thereciprocating means to shift the ribbon to utilize the C and D areas forinking in repeated alternation, and means for rotating said camreciprocating means.

10. In an ink ribbon mechanism, the combination of an ink ribbon havinga plurality of longitudinal inking areas A, B, C and D, a pair of ribboncarrying spools adapted to have either of two positions to provide alength of ribbon from which two different selected areas are utilizedfor inking in each direction of ink ribbon feed, means for rotating oneink ribbon spool for feeding the ink ribbon in one direction, othermeans for rotating the other ink ribbon spool for feeding the ink ribbonin another direction, automatic ribbon reversing mechanism, meanscontrolled by the ribbon reversing mechanism to cause the rotation ofone spool or the other to feed the ribbon in one direction and then theother, means for reciprocating both of said ribbon spools widthwise toutilize two longitudinal areas A and B for inking in repeatedalternation when said ink ribbon spools are in one position, and forreciprocating both of said ribbon spools widthwise to utilize two otherlongitudinal areas C and D for inking in repeated alternation when saidink ribbon spools are in the other position, and means controlled bysaid ribbon reversing mechanism for positioning the ink ribbon spools inone position when the ink ribbon is fed in said one direction forreciprocation of the ribbon to utilize the A and B areas for inking inrepeated alternation, and for positioning the ink ribbon spools inanother position when the ink ribbon is fed in the other direction forreciprocation of the ribbon to utilize the C and D areas for inking inrepeated alternation.

HORACE S. BEATTIE.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 526,894 Diss Oct. 2, 1894 599,417 Diss Feb. 22, 1898 607,226Diss July 12, 1898 703,339 Felbel et al. June 24, 1902 947,257 Pool Jan.25, 1910 2,438,071 Page et al. Mar. 16, 1948

